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It may sound exciting to spend your days diving deep into the minds of criminals, but there’s more to a day in the life of a forensic psychologist. In this article, we’ll take a look at this field as a whole; we’ll examine how quickly it’s growing, what sort of salary you can expect and what type of education requirements you’ll need to meet.
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Forensic Psychologist Job Outlook
What Is a Forensic Psychologist?
Forensic psychology typically includes any tasks related to psychology within the scope of the justice system. Below is a list of just some of the common job duties a forensic psychologist may perform.
Forensic psychologists may:
- Work in the prison system providing therapy and assessment for inmates.
- Provide evidence and expert testimony for the court system.
- Assess the psychological state of individuals facing criminal charges.
- Assess psychological damages suffered by individuals involved in a lawsuit.
- Conduct research to advance the knowledge and application of psychological principles in the justice system.
Forensic Psychologist Salary
Forensic psychology is a growing field, with no signs of slowing down. According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a forensic psychologist is around $77,000.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Psychologist
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
While some colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in forensic psychology, students can pursue other majors at this level, such as general psychology. It’s important to keep in mind that students may have an advantage when applying to a master’s program in forensic psychology if they hold a bachelor’s degree in the same field. Typical courses in a forensic psychology bachelor’s program include general psychology, law and introduction to criminology.
Graduate from a Doctorate Program
Once you’ve completed a master’s degree, you’ll need to obtain a doctorate in psychology in order to practice as a forensic psychologist. A doctorate could be either a Ph.D. or a Psy.D. program, both of which typically take between five to seven years to complete.
Complete Qualified Specialized Training
Forensic psychologists receive specialized training in the field. Many early-career psychologists get hands-on education from internships and post-doctoral training programs. They can also pursue certifications or enroll in courses to learn more about forensics.
Obtain Licensure
To practice as a forensic psychologist, you’ll need a state-issued license. To earn licensure, you must complete a certain number of hours of clinical experience under a licensed psychologist; the amount varies by state. Applicants must then pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology exam.
Pass the Certification Exam
The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) is the certifying organization for forensic psychologists. The ABPP awards the Specialty Board Certification in Forensic Psychology (SBCFP) to applicants who hold a license, pass an oral and written exam and complete training and work experience hours.
Forensic Psychologist Certification
The optional board certification in forensic psychology shows your dedication to becoming a professional in the field. The ABPP charges $125 to apply, reduced to $65 for early-career psychologists. The written exam costs $300, and the oral exam for forensic psychology is $550.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years does it take to become a forensic psychologist?
It can take 10 to 15 years to become a forensic psychologist. You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctorate. After graduation, individuals need to apply for licensure and board certification.
What does a forensic psychologist do in a day?
The day-to-day duties of a forensic psychologist can vary according to specialty. Some forensic psychologists spend their days conducting research. Other forensic psychologists work directly for the court system, doing assessments, conducting interviews and reviewing evidence.
What are the highest-paying jobs in forensic psychology?
The highest-paying jobs for forensic psychologists are those that involve consultation and expert testimony for the court system.
FAQs
It takes 10-15 years of education and training to become a forensic psychologist. You must earn a bachelor's degree, then a master's degree, followed by a doctorate. You must also work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist before earning your license. The specific state regulations vary.
Should I get a PhD or PsyD for forensic psychology? ›
While both degrees will prepare you to work as a forensic psychologist, there are some key differences. A PsyD degree is more focused on clinical settings and interactions with individual clients. A PhD is more focused on research, statistics, and on larger trends in the field.
Is it hard being a forensic psychologist? ›
A career as a forensic psychologist is a challenging one, but it offers many intrinsic benefits. In this profession, individuals exercise compassion toward all parties while remaining objective. Achieving this balance can be difficult and requires extensive training, but the outcome is rewarding.
How hard is it to get a PhD in forensic psychology? ›
The PhD program typically takes around 4-6 years to complete and requires extensive coursework in both psychology and law. In addition to coursework, students will be required to complete research projects and often clinical practic*ms.
What knowledge do you need to be a forensic psychologist? ›
Forensic psychologists must have a doctoral degree along with solid clinical psychology experience and training. They must also have a thorough understanding of scientific theory and research, including such topics as statistics, research design, and scientific validity.
Is a PhD harder than a PsyD? ›
Like a PhD in Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) prepares students to practice psychology in a wide range of clinical settings. A PsyD, however, focuses more on clinical practice and less on research. As a result, this degree requires fewer research and statistics courses and thus takes less time.
How many years is a PhD in forensic psychology? ›
Applicants need at least their bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field, but some may choose to apply with a master's degree. Generally, the Ph. D. takes 4-5 years to complete, though master's students can complete the program quicker.
Does the FBI hire forensic psychologists? ›
FBI Special Agents apply their professional experience and unique skill sets to their work. Many come from professional backgrounds such as psychology, forensic psychology, counseling and social work.
How fast can you become a forensic psychologist? ›
How many years does it take to be a forensic psychologist? It takes 10-15 years of education and training to become a forensic psychologist. You must earn a bachelor's degree, then a master's degree, followed by a doctorate.
What is the highest paying forensic psychology? ›
However, the salary can vary depending on factors such as location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. The highest pay for a forensic psychologist is around $126,000 per year, while the lowest pay is around $49,000 per year.
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum | Requirements |
|---|
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | $12,400–$71,300* |
| Program Fee | $2,450–$5,600* |
| Residency Fee | $5,680–$6,080 |
| Estimated Range: | 3.25-Year |
19 more rowsIn order to work as a licensed forensic psychologist in California, you must earn a qualifying doctorate degree.
Is forensic psychology a rare major? ›
Master's degrees in forensic psychology are rare. It's more likely that you will earn your master's in clinical psychology, with a title that reflects the subfield of psychology in which you've chosen to specialize, such as “clinical forensic psychology.”
Do you have to be smart to be a forensic psychologist? ›
Critical Thinking Skills
The forensic psychology field combines psychological concepts, counseling public policy, the legal system, and more. Because the field is interdisciplinary in nature, it's vital to possess strong critical thinking skills.
Do forensic psychologists go to crime scenes? ›
Crime Scene & Laboratory Setting: Some forensic psychologists play an important role in criminal investigations, and spend their time analyzing crime scenes and evidence to conclude a criminal's actions, and/or how they committed a crime.
What are the pros and cons of being a forensic psychologist? ›
Being a forensic psychologist can allow you to contribute to the legal system by working on civil and criminal cases. The role can benefit the community and generate substantial earnings, but it can also be a challenging line of work that often requires long hours.
Is a PsyD as respected as a PhD? ›
While both prepare you for promising careers in psychology, a PsyD degree positions you well for "in-the-field" careers, such as a clinical psychologist. The PhD degree is typically more geared toward academics.
Should my therapist have a PhD or PsyD? ›
While both degrees qualify individuals for clinical practice and therapy, the choice between a PsyD and a PhD depends on career goals and preferences. Those seeking a strong clinical focus may opt for a PsyD, while those interested in research and academia may choose a PhD.
Is it better to get a PhD or a masters in clinical psychology? ›
Master's degrees typically lead to fewer job opportunities and lower salary than Doctoral degrees. Part of this is the result of employers looking for those who have more experience and supervised training.
Is a PsyD in psychology worth it? ›
A PsyD in general psychology can prepare you for many different types of careers in the field. With this degree, you can qualify to work independently in your own practice or in leading clinical positions in healthcare institutions, schools, legal organizations, or private businesses.
